Dressage without your own horse?

Courbette

Courbette

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 May 2019
Messages
270
Visit site
Ideas for competing without your own horse? I desperately want to compete in dressage. I have a share horse on a large equestrian centre with a riding club on site. Unfortunately my share horse isn't able to compete and I don't have transport to get to other events. I have asked unsuccessfully about hiring one of the riding school horses. I'm debating if it is a bit cheeky popping a post on our yards facebook page to see if anybody would like to see their horse compete who may not be interested in riding a test themselves.

I have done online dressage in the past and although I think it is a great idea it is not for me. The other option is to look for a new share (eek!) and be very upfront about the fact I want to compete. Any ideas / encouraging success stories welcome :)
 
What have you got to lose by posting on the yard Facebook? So long as you are respectful of your existing ride and don't over (or under) egg your abilities, you never know what might happen. I'd consider letting someone ride my older one in that situation. (Mind, they'd only try once!)
 
Costs nothing to post. I have two rideable horses, but often no one to help me at competition. I would be happy to let someone do e.g. a Prelim or Novice test on one in exchange for helping me out the rest of the day.

Mind you, you might find that a new share would be more enjoyable as the training is 99% of the fun!
 
I have a sharer who is more than welcome to take mine out to dressage. Happy to drive her etc. So it can be done!
 
I currently have a horse on loan and the owner is really supportive of me taking him out to competitions, dressage/showing/jumping etc. They are possible to find, just be clear that you'd like competition opportunities :)
 
Thanks everyone!! Worth a go then. I’m only looking at Prelim level but i’d be happy to put some work into the horse to help us get. I may be able to borrow a box for my current horse but i’m quite nervous about driving one and he is entire (but so well behaved) so I’m struggling finding local events that accept stallions. My preferred option would be able to find a horse to compete on site or one in hacking distance. I’ll have an ask around and see if anybody would be willing to lend / loan me a horse 😊
 
Kat said:
If your share horse could compete off site why can't he compete at home?
Click to expand...

The events are ran by a local riding club and they don't allow stallions to enter. Frustrating as he lives on site and is ridden out and in the school with mixed sex groups but unfortunately we are not able to enter.
 
I first competed as a sharer, and now I take my sharers out competing.

One thing to consider when asking on your yard is that you are likely to effectively end up with two share horses as if you are out competing you need time to practise. So then you are riding someone's horse to practise and its not unreasonable for that person to ask you to poo pick or muck out if you are riding.

You might find that finding a new share works out more sensible in the long run.
 
Courbette said:
The events are ran by a local riding club and they don't allow stallions to enter. Frustrating as he lives on site and is ridden out and in the school with mixed sex groups but unfortunately we are not able to enter.
Click to expand...
That's unusual, have you tried approaching them about it? Perhaps suggesting how you can compete safely and pointing out that BD rules allow stallions and at dressage you wouldn't be sharing the ring with anyone else etc.

Most riding clubs are dead keen to attract new members and the rule could be something that hasn't been thought about for years.

Alternatively is there another venue within hacking distance?
 
Kat said:
That's unusual, have you tried approaching them about it? Perhaps suggesting how you can compete safely and pointing out that BD rules allow stallions and at dressage you wouldn't be sharing the ring with anyone else etc.

Most riding clubs are dead keen to attract new members and the rule could be something that hasn't been thought about for years.

Alternatively is there another venue within hacking distance?
Click to expand...

No unfortunately they are very firm on not allowing colts or stallions to any of the events. I’ve asked as has his owner and we’ve offered to make adjustments such as going at the start and not using the warm up ring but we’ve had no luck. Interestingly they are not questioning him as he is known to most of the commitee and has excellent manners but they refuse to allow him incase his presence causes an upset amongst any competing mares 🙈

I find it frustrating but there isn’t much more we can try unless the commitee members change. It is such a shame as I have put a fair amount of work in schooling him and would of loved the chance to see how we would do. It just seems illogical as he lives at the venue so I could in theory ride him over to watch anyway.

There are no other venues in hacking distance so it is put my brave pants on to drive myself, hire transport if I can find another venue or try and find another ride on the yard.

Competing isn’t the be all and end all with me but i’m in my 30’s and I have always wanted to have a decent go trying to work my way up the dressage levels.
 
Maybe they should also ban mares so they don't upset the geldings:rolleyes:
it does seem unfair to stop you taking part when they know the horse is not going to cause trouble, have you asked if you can go HC at the end under the same judge, maybe see if the judge would give a 'lesson' if you find out who they are and do a test or two under the rules but without being part of the competition which may allow you to at least get a few tests performed to prove a point and get you started.
 
be positive said:
Maybe they should also ban mares so they don't upset the geldings:rolleyes:
it does seem unfair to stop you taking part when they know the horse is not going to cause trouble, have you asked if you can go HC at the end under the same judge, maybe see if the judge would give a 'lesson' if you find out who they are and do a test or two under the rules but without being part of the competition which may allow you to at least get a few tests performed to prove a point and get you started.
Click to expand...

I did wonder about this but somebody else asked about going HC but they wouldn’t allow another member when her bit wasn’t correct as they run to BD rules 🙈

I’m not allowed to attend any of the clinics organised by the club either which are essentially private lessons on my horses own livery yard where we already take lessons not arranged through the riding club. There is no logic behind it and it is really frustrating but I can’t see it changing.

I might have one last attempt tho 😊
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top